Q:
Project Linq's going ahead. Which of the following statements best fits how you feel about this news?
A:
2579 Total Votes
| Does Las Vegas really need another shopping mall and 25+ restaurants and bars? I’m not averse to progress, per se, but the town seems to be losing sight of what it’s meant to be -- a GAMBLING town -- and I miss that. I can go shopping at home. And what’s up with having two observation wheel projects going forward at the same time? |
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| To me it just sounds like another blow to the old-school bargain joints that Las Vegas used to be famous for. All we can expect from The Linq, no doubt, is another raft of over-priced cocktail joints and frou frou designer stores, when I come to Vegas looking for cheap beer, dollar hot dogs, and positive expectation video poker! |
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| What is The Linq? I’ve never heard of it. |
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| With all the depressing half-built properties around town, it will be great to have any kind of project actually come to fruition and breathe some new life into the Strip, especially with a venue that brings something different to the table. I might be sad to see the old places go, but I’m more excited for a change and some real progress. |
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| I just hope The Linq turns out better than CityCenter, which seems so ill-conceived, not to mention all the bad publicity with the Harmon and the Death Ray! It’s too big and intimidating and hard to navigate, and I feel I have no reason to go to CityCenter. Perhaps a big outdoor venue will work better and produce more of a social ambiance. I like the new vibe down on Fremont Street; something like that would be cool on the Strip. |
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| Seriously, who the heck will miss the Imperial Palace? Or get sentimental about O’Sheas? That center-Strip area has been looking tired and outdated for a looong time and it’s definitely overdue for a complete upgrade. I don’t miss the Sahara; next up they should start over at Circus Circus and the Riv! |
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| I know things move on, but with the Sahara gone and now O’Sheas for the chopping block, not to mention a complete remodel on the cards for IP, soon there will be no "old Vegas" left on the Strip, and I think that’s a shame. What’s next? The Riv? Heaven forbid they touch The Peppermill! |
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| I seldom go to the Strip if I can help it and doubt I’ll be visiting The Linq too often, so it won’t make much of an impression on me if it does go ahead, but I’m just happy to hear that there’s going to be a big project generating new employment opportunities in construction and the service industries. The Vegas job market really needs this shot in the arm. |
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| Other (please use the link on the next page to email us your thoughts). |
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Analysis
Thanks to everyone who took part in this poll; some of your thoughts are reproduced below. But first, for all those who hadn't heard about this project, in a nutshell it's a plan by Caesars Entertainment to revamp their center-Strip properties with the addition an outdoor dining, retail, and entertainment complex (including a massive observation wheel), and a complete remodel of Imperial Palace and O'Sheas.
"We come to Vegas 3 or 4 times a year (4-7 days at a time ) and don't usually get to this area ,but if it looks good, makes some jobs, sells products, and doesn't turn into a problem area, I'm all for it and we would probably come see."
"I couldn't be less enthusiastic about Project Linq. Not that Imperial Palace or O'Sheas are anything great either, but more shopping, etc. etc just sounds like the same old thing. Vegas isn't going to find its resurgence through another shopping mall."
"My answer would have been 'What is the Linq?', and it still is, but I really wanted to say how I feel about the Strip. The mega building and abandonment of much of it are what has driven me from The Strip. The Stardust demise was the last straw for me. I really hate the huge, impersonal structures that have taken over. They are quite beautiful and I have been through most of them, in one door and out the other, much like a European cathedral tour, never to return. Can't these people see that massive is becoming increasingly old? It seems to me that there is a real trend toward 'out of the mall' smaller stores everywhere. I'd love to see some smaller, unique and more accessible casinos on the Strip. In the meantime I am happy with the off-Strip and downtown places where I don't feel lost in the crowd. Good poll. Thanks for another chance to vent."
"I totally agree with the need for a Fremont Street atmosphere. I never shop in Las Vegas [except the gambler's book club ]. You can keep your shopping mall. Call me at The Golden Nugget!"
"I will miss the parking garage behind O'Sheas and the street that is a quick access to the Strip from my timeshare behind the Flamingo (HGVC). Still remains to be seen how many people they can draw away from the main drag, but it will probably work as that is a very busy intersection for foot traffic. I'm just concerned that I will now look out of my window at some kid ogling me from a Ferris wheel. Vegas wouldn't be Vegas without newer and supposedly better stuff being built on the old though! And I'm for any improvements to the IP -- that place is a dump! (I did stay in a nice tower room recently, but only after suffering through 2 horrible rooms before finally being put in my reserved class of room.)"
"I think the Linq is a dynamite idea, bringing a Fremont Experience feeling to the Strip, with a lot of people, a lot of stuff to see, and a lot of stuff to do, all within a concentrated area ... almost like the midway at a carnival. (Caesars Entertainment got something right!)"
"I answered 'other' as you have again hit my thoughts across several answers. I do think Linq has the chance to be a great addition to the area, and very successful, but I would say it is very dependent on the direction they take. If you think more "Bourbon Street" than "Crystals" I would predict success. If they go too up-scale, they won't generate the traffic such a concept needs. I imagine a Blues bar next to a burger joint, next to a jazz club. Sprinkle in the retail, and the observation wheel fits at the end of the road. Oh, and don't forget my ice cream shop, please. I am anxious to see how it comes together."
"It will be sad if O'Sheas is lost but the IP is in serious need of a makeover. Especially the rooms. Their rates are great but the rooms lack a safe, have mismatched furniture and televisions that look like they were purchased at a rent a center. The funny thing is I always get the best sleep at the IP."
"Where will I get my morning Burger King, or a cheap quick bite? Sad to see O'Sheas go. IP, on the other hand, is a nasty casino, impossible to navigate, sorry rooms. Bye-bye."
"I am excited about the new Linq project. When I first saw the plans I thought 'This is great!' I almost got goosebumps. But sadly, I think all of the media has missed the mark in their coverage of this project. They all seemed focused on the Ferris wheel, which to me is just a (big) gimmick to draw attention. To me the real story is that finally someone is focusing on the mid-market again. Too many projects in the recent past have targeted the high end market, with varying degrees of success. With the exception of the Tropicana, the mid-level market has been ignored. To get an idea of just how many people are in this mid-level market, just walk along the strip from Harrah’s to the Flamingo on any given evening. Now look at what this new Linq project does, it creates a central square for people to walk through, it adds some more restaurants along the strip, it gets rid of some old surplus hotel rooms, and gives a facelift to the centre of the strip. Everything is positive. I think it’s a great idea. If this can create an atmosphere similar to the Freemont Street Experience downtown, that would be spectacular"
"Please, let us get used to what's been built and finish what's been started before some thing new is planned.I know Vegas is under constant change, but how long before the implosions start at the back of the property while the front is being developed?"
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